U.S. patent application number 13/541419 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-09 for optical fiber connectivity management system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Stephen R. Blackard. Invention is credited to Stephen R. Blackard.
Application Number | 20140010510 13/541419 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49878592 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140010510 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blackard; Stephen R. |
January 9, 2014 |
OPTICAL FIBER CONNECTIVITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Abstract
A modular fiber connectivity management system comprises a 1-RU
bracket having a front panel defining four openings adapted to
receive up to four cassettes, and one to four cassettes having
front and rear mating interfaces adapted for interfacing with cable
connectors and adapted for mounting to the front panel of the
bracket, each front mating interface of a cassette adapted to
interface with up to 36 fiber connectors of a first type for a
total of up to 144 fiber connectors, and each rear mating interface
of a cassette adapted to interface with fiber connectors of a
second type.
Inventors: |
Blackard; Stephen R.;
(Garland, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Blackard; Stephen R. |
Garland |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49878592 |
Appl. No.: |
13/541419 |
Filed: |
July 3, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
385/135 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/4453 20130101;
G02B 6/3897 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
385/135 |
International
Class: |
G02B 6/44 20060101
G02B006/44 |
Claims
1. A modular fiber connectivity management system comprising: a
1-RU bracket having a front panel defining four openings adapted to
receive up to four cassettes; and one to four cassettes having
front and rear mating interfaces adapted for interfacing with cable
connectors and adapted for mounting to the front panel of the
bracket, each front mating interface of a cassette adapted to
interface with up to 36 fiber connectors of a first type for a
total of up to 144 fiber connectors, and each rear mating interface
of a cassette adapted to interface with fiber connectors of a
second type.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a hinged door
rotatably coupled to the bracket and disposed in front of the front
panel.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the hinged door is constructed at
least partially of a transparent/opaque material.
4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of
fasteners fastened to a bottom panel of the bracket disposed in
front of the front panel for restraining up to 144 fiber cables
coupled to the 144 fiber connectors.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of fasteners
comprise hook-and-loop straps.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the connectors of a first type
comprise LC connectors.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the connectors of a second type
comprise MTP connectors.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the connectors of a first type is
selected from a group consisting of LC, SC, ST, MTRJ, MU, and ESCON
connectors.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the connectors of a second type
is selected from a group consisting of MTP and MPO connectors.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein each cassette is operable to
accommodate up to nine quad LC adaptors.
11. A modular cable connectivity management system comprising: an
high-density 1-RU bracket having a front panel and a bottom panel,
the front panel defining four openings each adapted to receive one
cassette; one to four cassettes each having front and rear mating
interfaces adapted for interfacing with cable connectors and
adapted for mounting to the front panel of the bracket, each front
mating interface of a cassette having adaptors of a first type, and
each rear mating interface of a cassette having adaptors of a
second type.
12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a hinged door
constructed at least partially of a transparent/opaque material
rotatably coupled to the bracket and disposed in front of the front
panel.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein the front mating interface of
each cassette is adaptable to accommodate up to 36 fiber
connectors, for a total of up to 144 fiber connectors operable to
couple to up to 144 fiber cables in the bracket.
14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of
fasteners fastened to the bottom panel of the bracket for
restraining the up to 144 fiber cables.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the plurality of fasteners
comprise hook-and-loop straps.
16. The system of claim 11, wherein the connectors of a first type
comprise LC connectors.
17. The system of claim 11, wherein the connectors of a second type
comprise MTP connectors.
18. The system of claim 11, wherein the connectors of a first type
is selected from a group consisting of LC, SC, ST, MTRJ, MU, and
ESCON connectors.
19. The system of claim 11, wherein the connectors of a second type
is selected from a group consisting of MTP and MPO connectors.
20. The system of claim 11, further comprising a rack adapted to
accommodate a plurality of brackets mounted therein.
21. An high-density modular fiber cassette comprising: a front
mating interface adapted for interfacing with cable connectors of a
first type connected to up to 36 fiber cables; and a rear mating
interface adapted for interfacing with cable connectors of a second
type.
22. The modular fiber cassette of claim 21, further being adapted
for mounting into a bracket assembly.
23. The modular fiber cassette of claim 21, further being adapted
for mounting into a bracket assembly with at least three other
modular fiber cassettes to couple to up to a total of 144 fiber
cables.
24. The modular fiber cassette of claim 21, wherein the connectors
of a first type is selected from a group consisting of LC, SC, ST,
MTRJ, MU, and ESCON connectors.
25. The modular fiber cassette of claim 21, wherein the connectors
of a second type is selected from a group consisting of MTP and MPO
connectors.
26. The modular fiber cassette of claim 21, wherein each cassette
is operable to accommodate up to nine quad LC adaptors.
27. The modular fiber cassette of claim 21, further being adapted
for mounting into a bracket assembly with more than three other
modular fiber cassettes to couple to more than 144 fiber cables.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application is related to co-pending design
patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled "Optical Fiber
Management Bracket" filed on Jul. 3, 2012, and to design patent
application Ser. No. ______, entitled "Optical Fiber Management
Cassette" also filed on Jul. 3, 2012.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates the field of optical
communications, and more particularly to an optical fiber
connectivity management system.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Current computing, communications, and data management
requirements are steadily driving the need for density. Computing
and data management companies that service and support businesses,
factories, and residences typically house the computer servers and
other electronics and computing components in special facilities
equipped with racks or cabinets populated with connection sites for
optical fibers and cables. These racks or cabinets further include
fiber optic devices, such as attenuators, connectors, adapters,
switches, multiplexers, splitters, combiners, splices, etc. to
connect and route the signals transmitted in the optical fibers and
cables. Incoming and outgoing fibers typically enter and exit the
various rack units from the front and/or the rear of the racks.
Typically, each rack or cabinet houses a number of brackets, each
of which in turn houses a number of optical cassettes. Specialized
optical connectors are mounted within the cassettes to enable
connection and cross-connection with optical fibers and optical
fiber cables.
SUMMARY
[0004] A modular fiber connectivity management system comprises a
1-RU bracket having a front panel defining four openings adapted to
receive up to four cassettes, and one to four cassettes having
front and rear mating interfaces adapted for interfacing with cable
connectors and adapted for mounting to the front panel of the
bracket, each front mating interface of a cassette adapted to
interface with up to 36 fiber connectors of a first type for a
total of up to 144 fiber connectors, and each rear mating interface
of a cassette adapted to interface with fiber connectors of a
second type.
[0005] A modular cable connectivity management system comprises an
high-density 1-RU bracket having a front panel and a bottom panel,
the front panel defining four openings each adapted to receive one
cassette, and one to four cassettes each having front and rear
mating interfaces adapted for interfacing with cable connectors and
adapted for mounting to the front panel of the bracket, each front
mating interface of a cassette having adaptors of a first type, and
each rear mating interface of a cassette having adaptors of a
second type.
[0006] An high-density modular fiber cassette comprises a front
mating interface adapted for interfacing with cable connectors of a
first type connected to up to 36 fiber cables, and a rear mating
interface adapted for interfacing with cable connectors of a second
type.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
an optical fiber connectivity management system 10 according to the
present disclosure;
[0008] FIG. 2 a front elevational view of an exemplary embodiment
of an optical fiber connectivity management system 10 according to
the present disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of an
optical fiber connectivity management system 10 according to the
present disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of an optical fiber connectivity management system 10
according to the present disclosure;
[0011] FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of an exemplary
embodiment of an optical fiber bracket according to the present
disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of an exemplary
embodiment of an optical fiber bracket according to the present
disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 8 is a back elevational view of an exemplary embodiment
of an optical fiber bracket according to the present
disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 9 is a bottom elevational view of an exemplary
embodiment of an optical fiber bracket according to the present
disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of an exemplary
embodiment of an optical fiber bracket according to the present
disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
an optical fiber cassette according to the present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of an exemplary
embodiment of an optical fiber cassette according to the present
disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of an exemplary
embodiment of an optical fiber cassette according to the present
disclosure; and
[0019] FIG. 14 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of an
optical fiber cassette according to the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Optical fiber connection management systems are typically
known as outside plant distribution cabinets, distribution frames,
or patch panels that are used for interconnection or
cross-connection of optical fibers and cables. Typically optical
fiber cables that comprise multiple optical fibers are connected to
a panel in a cabinet, frame or panel to connect to individual
fibers that provide service to homes or businesses, for example.
The optical fiber connectivity management system described herein
provides a compact modular and high-density system that can be
easily configured for different applications and needs.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
an optical fiber connectivity management system 10 designed for
dense fiber applications according to the present disclosure. Refer
also to FIGS. 2-4 for a front elevational view, top view, and
exploded perspective view, respectively, of the optical fiber
connectivity management system 10. System 10 includes a bracket
assembly 12 having a bracket 13 with a front panel 14 having a
plurality of openings 16 adapted to receive a plurality of
cassettes or modules 18. In the embodiment shown, the bracket
assembly 12 can accommodate one, two, three, or four cassettes 18.
Preferably, the bracket assembly 12 is compatible with standard
industry form factors. FIGS. 5 and 6 further provide perspective
views of an exemplary embodiment of the bracket assembly 12
according to the present disclosure. Further, FIGS. 7-10 are
various views of an exemplary embodiment of the optical fiber
bracket 13 according to the present disclosure. The front panel 14
is generally vertically oriented with respect to the generally
planar horizontally-oriented bottom panel 15 of the bracket
assembly 12. The front panel 14 includes two mounting extensions 17
with defined openings 19 adapted to receive mounting fasteners 21,
such as bolts, screws, etc. The mounting extensions 17 of the front
panel 14 are adapted to interface with or mount to structural
members (not shown) of an equipment rack or cabinet.
[0022] As best seen in FIGS. 11-14, showing perspective, front,
side, and top views, each cassette 18 includes a front mating
surface or mounting tabs 20 defined around an opening 22 which
generally coincides with the openings 16 in the front panel 14 of
the bracket 13. The front mating surface 20 of the cassette 18 is
adapted to interface with and fasten to the front panel 14 of the
bracket 13. Through holes 23 in the front panel 14 of the bracket
13 and through holes 24 in the front mating surface 20 of the
cassette 18 coincide to jointly receive fasteners 27 such as bolts,
screws, and the like to detachably secure the cassettes 18 to the
front panel 14.
[0023] The cassette opening 22 is adapted to receive a plurality of
receptacles 26 such as quad LC adapters operable to receive optical
fibers 28 fitted with fiber connectors, such as LC connectors (not
shown). In the exemplary embodiment shown, up to nine quad LC
adapters 26 are accommodated within the opening 22 of each cassette
18. Accordingly, with four cassettes 18, up to a total of 144 LC
adapters 26 (or 144 LC ports) may be installed and organized in a
single 1 RU (rack-unit) height of the bracket assembly 12. The
array of receptacles 26 defines the front mating connection of the
system 10. It should be noted that the receptacles and the
connectors that they accept may be of any suitable number,
configuration, and type. For example, the fiber connectors may be
of any suitable type including LC, SC, ST, MT-RJ, MU, ESCON, and
the like.
[0024] Constructed in this manner, the system 10 is adapted to
receive or accept at least 144 optical fibers 28 (or other types of
cabling) via appropriate connectors 29 at its front mating
connection or front panel 14. To keep these cables neatly organized
and restrained, a number of fasteners 30 may be used to fasten or
tie them together. For example, hook-and-loop fastener straps 30
may be used for this purpose. The fastener straps 30 may be adhered
(glued, tacked, bolted, etc.) to the bottom panel 15 of the bracket
13 or looped through a number of openings or slots 31 therein.
Other types of fasteners such as cable ties, twist-ties, and the
like may be used.
[0025] Each cassette 18 further comprises a rear panel 32 that
defines a plurality of openings 34 adapted to accommodate adapters
36 such as bulkhead adapters configured to receive and couple male
and female connectors 38 and 39 of the MTP (Mechanical Transfer
Pull) type, for example. As shown in the embodiment illustrated in
the drawing figures, the system 10 equipped with four cassettes 18
is operable to connect to a total of up to 12 MTP trunk cables. It
should be noted that the cassettes 18 may be configured to accept
any suitable number, configuration, and type of connectors and
adapters depending on the application. For example, the cassette
may comprise MPO (Multi-fiber Push-On) connectors and the like.
[0026] The bracket assembly 12 further includes a front door 40
hinged to the bottom panel 15. A plurality of rotatable fasteners
such as hinges 42 and 43 may be used to fasten the front door 40 to
the bracket 13, as shown in FIG. 6. When the front door 40 is in
the vertical or closed position, the pegs 44 on the front door 40
mate and engage the openings 46 in the vertical tabs 48 of the
bracket assembly 12. In a preferred embodiment, the pegs 44 may be
of a particular shape to easily insert into the openings 46 to
close the front door 40, and may expand to prevent inadvertent
opening of the front door 40. Alternatively, the pegs 44 may
incorporate stops, latch, or another means of releasably fastening
to the vertical tabs 48. Other suitable methods of fastening the
front door 40 or otherwise maintaining its upright orientation may
be used. The front door 40 is preferably at least partially
constructed of a transparent or opaque material to permit easy
visual inspection of the bracket assembly 12 and optical cables 28
therein when the bracket assembly is installed in a rack (not
shown).
[0027] As best seen in the perspective and top views in FIGS. 4-6
and FIG. 9, the generally planar bottom panel 15 of the bracket 13
may define therein a generally rectangular opening 50. Forming an
opening 50 in the bottom panel 15 greatly reduces the overall
weight and bulk of the bracket 13, and yet does not alter its
structural integrity.
[0028] The modularity and adaptability of installing up to four
high-density cassettes in a single 1 RU (rack-unit) height
according to application and/or need gives the system flexible and
easy configurability. Although the disclosed bracket is of a 1 RU
height, the cassettes disclosed herein may be installed in a
compact manner in a multiple-RU bracket. Potential application
areas for the fiber connectivity management system described herein
include: telecommunication closets, data centers, customer premise,
LAN/WAN networks, central office/headends, hubs/cabinets/remote
terminals, FTTH/FTTB networks, and the like. Although the
descriptions herein emphasizes the management of optical fibers and
fiber cables, the present disclosure contemplates management of
other forms of cables operable to transmit signals of other
types.
[0029] The features of the present invention which are believed to
be novel are set forth below with particularity in the appended
claims. However, modifications, variations, and changes to the
exemplary embodiments described above will be apparent to those
skilled in the art, and the system and method described herein thus
encompass such modifications, variations, and changes and are not
limited to the specific embodiments described herein.
* * * * *